Back From the Gathering

I couldn't resist getting my photo taken with this borosilicate glass artisan who also happens to be on the US Beard Team which competes internationally.  (He's the 4th place winner.)  I met him at the Gathering's Bead Bazaar in Louisville, KY last Saturday.

Of course I needed to know his secrets... when asked what products does he use on his beard, he replied, "Paul Mitchell".

What I didn't tell him...is that of course, he will be the inspiration for a new bead.  I can't resist.  And as those wheels were already turning, I gave him one of my gnome beads that had a pretty cool beard already.

Gnome Arrangement

I was so happy to see my friend Ann Bremer when we were both visiting Asheville a few weeks ago and meet her delightful husband,  Fred.  Last year at the Gathering, Ann bought one of my gnomes for him.  And I could tell he must have a great sense of humor, when she chose the one holding a skunk.

Of course there's a story behind that- when I was a kid, my Dad had a skunk for a pet.  His name was Hercules (the skunk, not my dad).  Herc was a fun little fella who had been "de-scented" for the most part and acted kind of like a cross between a cat and a dog for a long time.  We would pick him up and carry him around and take him for walks.  So it's a good skunk that this gnome is holding.

Anyhow, Fred was so kind to send me this picture of his gnome, which I think is great.  According to Ann, the gnome must be of the traveling gnome clan, because this one doesn't sit still and has his photo taken in a variety of places.

If you need a traveling gnome of your own, please contact me.  I'd be happy to make you one- even without a skunk.  (Usually they are holding a bird, a magic ball or even a dog.)  And I think there might be one in my StudioMarcy Etsy shop right now too.

Introducing...SNOW GLOBES In My Studio Marcy Etsy Shop

Woohoo! I have been making Snow Globes and they are now in my Etsy shop. Each one is one-of-a-kind and so much fun. If you love them like I do, pop by and visit...click here.

Southern Flames' Postcard 2009

I'm so proud of our local ISGB chapter, the Southern Flames.

This is our annual postcard that was designed and printed for the fundraiser postcard collections that are sold each year at our annual international conference, The Gathering.

I really like the back side featuring all of the artist's names, so you can see who made which bead. To find some of the member links (and our guest instructors'), click here. And we have a member gallery here.

Thanks to Shannon, Kristy and Cristie for the fabulous postcard and always a big thank you to Linda, our Southern Flames Web Mama.

See you tomorrow right here, at http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

There's A Full Moon, Watch for Naughty Gnomes

My friend Kim has been telling me for over two years, that she wanted me to make a gnome bending over and mooning. Kim and I were at Bead Camp together recently, so I crumbled.

Besides pleasing her, I wanted the challenge of making a glass bead in this shape. His "center" where the mandrel went through went up his legs and came out just above his buns. Think of the uneven distribution of weight that adding his upper body would create.

He had to be bead sized and yet include all the important details.

It was rather like doing an on mandrel and off mandrel piece at the same time, because from his waist and higher, I had to add glass and sculpt without the centrifugal force that mandrels provide.

For more views of this naughty gnome and of course a cute little story, please visit "Kimbo" in my etsy shop.

I'm always open for more ideas of beads you'd like to see, or please post about something you've tried recently which stretched your abilities. Add a link too! We'd love to see what you're doing as well.

See you tomorrow,
Marcy